Football: Notes from Campbell's Monday press conference

Friday

MAXWELL — Collins-Maxwell didn't win a single game last year, and its two wins this season came on the road. But throughout that time, community support never waned.

So when the Spartan seniors took the field at home for the final time Friday, they hoped they could give something back to the fans who have stood by them through a tough transitional period.

Mission accomplished.

Collins-Maxwell senior Caleb Fullerton returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and scored five times as the Spartans rolled to a 54-20 win over Twin Cedars.

“This was huge,” Fullerton said. “Last year, we didn't win a single game and there were always so many people in this community that came out to support us, and we just couldn't provide (a win) for them. It feels really good to come out here and give this community something back after they've given so much to us.”

Friday was the school's first home win as Spartans.

Collins-Maxwell split from Baxter before last season and made the transition to 8-man football. It's been a difficult ride since, but with Friday's win, the Spartans have won two in a row and have a chance to make it three straight if they can beat Melcher-Dallas on the road next week.

“We played clear over in Dunlap last year, which is close to three hours away from here,” Collins-Maxwell coach Cory Crnkovich said. “There were parents that stayed there for the whole thing when we were down 50-0. So to have this community backing us since Day One, I'm glad that we could reward them with something at home with a win.”

Fullerton had the biggest night, scoring on that kick return, rushing for 130 yards and three scores and catching a 43-yard touchdown pass. But it was evident the future is bright for the other young stars wearing black and blue.

Junior quarterback Kadin Bennett threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns, and connected with junior receiver Brett Livesay for three long passes, one that went 31 yards for a score.

The Spartans didn't just get it done on offense, either.

The defense forced a handful of turnovers, and, along with Fullteron's kick return, they recovered a fumble on a kickoff and successfully pooch kicked to keep the ball away from Twin Cedars' speedy returners the entire night.

“From the Colo and Meskwaki games we've won,” Crnkovich said, “I feel like this is our most complete game we've played. We were more balanced.”

Fullteron opened the game with a 70-yard return, but Collins-Maxwell got the back right back when Twin Cedars bobbled the ensuing kickoff. The Spartans began their next drive at the Saber 10.

Two plays later, Bennett tossed a short touchdown to Simon McKinney. The two-point conversion was good, making it 16-0 just 55 seconds into the game.

The Spartan defense forced a punt, and moments later, Mason Markley scored on a short run to make it 22-0 just six minutes into the game.

Collins-Maxwell cruised from there, doing what it wanted on offense while making several plays behind the line of scrimmage on defense. It gave Fullerton confidence that his team was focused and ready to go get that third win in a row next week, which would end his career on a high note after experiencing so many struggles the past two seasons.

“I'd be ecstatic,” he said. “I can't really put into words how much that would mean (to us).”

Collins-Maxwell 54, Twin Cedars 20

Twin Cedars 8 0 6 6-20

Collins-Maxwell 30 6 12 6-54

First Quarter

CM- Caleb Fullerton 65 kickoff return (Rylee Scott run), 11:48

CM- Simon McKinney 1 pass from Kadin Bennett (Fullerton run), 11:05

CM- McKinney 1 run (run failed), 5:59

TC-Tytus Hunt 47 run (Brock Denburger run), 5:40

CM- Fullerton 1 run (Fullerton run), 4:27

Second Quarter

CM- Fullerton 1 run (run failed), 0:41

Third Quarter

TC- Kade Dunkin 15 pass from Denburger (run failed), 10:09

CM- Fullerton 43 pass from Bennett (run failed), 8:27

CM- Fullerton 6 run (run failed), 5:57

Fourth Quarter

CM- Brett Livesay 31 pass from Bennett (pass failed), 10:58

CM- Dunkin 20 pass from Denburger (kick failed), 8:07

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